The purpose of the GIS Literacy Institute was to increase the number of professional librarians working in academic and public libraries who know the basic principles of spatial data handling and use of GIS systems technology. Attendees travelled from all parts of the country, including Hawaii. High content sessions included workshops with the following faculty members, each experts in their respective fields:
Dr. Marc Armstrong, Univ. of Iowa Departments of Geography and Computer Science. On day one Marc covered the basics of spatial data handling, and prepared attendees for what was to follow. Marc was also responsible for writing the Department of Education grant which underwrote most of the Institute.
Dr. Robert McMaster, University of Minnesota, Dept. of Geography Bob is an authority on thematic mapping and cartography, and introduced mapping techniques, layering concepts, and basic digital cartography.
Dr. James Merchant, Univesity of Nebraska Center for Advanced Land Management Information Technologies. Jim introduced the basics of remote sensing and image processing. The afternoon was spent using the Alexander image processing software in the DOS lab.
Dr. Gerard Rushton, University of Iowa Dept. of Geography. Dr. Rushton is an expert in the uses of spatial data and covered demographic analysis, institutional issues, spatial data infrastructure, and the future availability of spatial data.
No one would debate the absolute quality of the sessions, and all attendees came out much more informed and prepared to handle spatial data in the library setting. Below is a series of JPEG photos which highlights some of the session activities.
Bob McMaster and Marc Armstrong chat with attendees during break
Bob McMaster works out with MapInfo Day Two was really hands on. The morning was spent creating thematic maps using Atlas Pro, and the afternoon was spent evaluating Map Info.
Jim Merchant sets up shop in the DOS Lab No one could have imagined the detail, and amount of information covered on Remote Sensing. Each attendee was given an evaluation copy of Alexander image processing software.
Mac Lab in the Information Arcade Bob McMaster assists an attendee creating thematic mapping using Atlas Pro. Note the time on the clock, and the number of heads on hands. Some days were intense!
The cornfields of Iowa. Beautiful!
The Old Capital Building, symbol of the University of Iowa
Aerial photo, Cedar Rapids Airport area This attendee was so into it, he started taking aerial photos for remote sensing projects. (Photo taken from a Beechcraft 100, YIKES!!)
Aerial photo taken during Kansas City landing.
Electronic Lectern, Information Arcade
NExT computers in the Information Arcade
Attendees check out analog maps and Landsat images
Gerard Rushton set up for demographic analysis in the Mac Lab
Jim Merchant checks out the buffet All meals were provided for attendees, and the food was excellent!
Color photo scanning by Michael Tawfik-Reedy, UCSD. Comments to mwaggoner@ucsd.edu.
